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What a Contrast – Malachi 3 and Psalm 1
The Old Testament lectionary reading today was from Malachi 3 and the responsorial Psalm was Psalm 1. When you read these two passages together, there is an amazing contrast and I wonder if it was purposeful. First, read Psalm 1 (NAB): 1 Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, Nor go…
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John Hobbins on the Limits of Traditional Apologetics
HERE is a link to a post by John Hobbins on some of the problems with modern apologetics literature. I’ve commented on the post, so you can see a little bit of what I think there if you would like. But, basically over the five or so years I have developed a distaste for apologetics. …
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Saying Something Positive about Jonah
Today’s Old Testament reading is from Jonah 4. This is a continuation of the previous two days, which were from Jonah 1 and 3, respectively. And, throughout the book Jonah is depicted very negatively. But, today I thought I would try to say something positive about him. At least Jonah is honest and open. Notice…
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The Ninevites as the Model of Repentance
In today’s Old Testament reading from Jonah 3, we find the Ninevites as the model of repentance. Check out the perfect pattern of repentance here: When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this…
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Free Leviticus Primer
I’ve linked to this once before, but for those who missed, it HERE is a link to a helpful resource on the Book of Leviticus by Lauren Stouffer. When reading through books like Leviticus it can be difficult to keep the festivals and offerings straight. However, this PDF has some helpful charts.
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Free Bible Briefs – Exodus and Leviticus
Bible Briefs are not available for every book of the Old Testament, but these free short introductions are available for Exodus and Leviticus. The Exodus volume is written by Dr. Murray L. Newman Emeritus professor of Virginia Theological Seminary. And, the Leviticus volume is written by Prof. Kevin A. Wilson of Lithuania Christian College. …
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"Old Salts" in Jonah 1.5
In most English translations of the Bible, one of the words in Jonah 1.5 is usually translated as “sailors” or “mariners” (NRSV, ESV, NJPS, NASB, and others). I can remember discussing this in my very first Biblical Hebrew class under Charles Isbell at Lousiana State University. He uses the Book of Jonah (minus the poetry…
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Why Did Jonah Flee to Tarshish?
If you’ve read the lectionary reading for today, you know it is from Jonah 1. To give a little background, it is helpful to know a little about Tarshish. According to the Bible Background Commentary on the Old Testament: Tarshish was the farthest known geographical point. While its exact location is unknown, most believe it…
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Douglas Stuart's Exodus Commentary Introduction Free
Douglas Stuart’s commentary on Exodus is available in limited preview format from Google Books. You are able to read the entire introduction to the commentary HERE. This is Douglas Stuart of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth fame. He is a prolific author on the Old Testament who is evangelical in his…
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Read Janzen's Commentary Introduction to Exodus Free
HERE is a link to Janzen’s commentary on Exodus at Google Books. There is a limited preview and the entire introduction is available.